AN INSIDERS GUIDE TO IRELAND: PART THREE
If you fly into Dublin start your itinerary here!
DUBLIN:
So now you have explored a good part of the country and it is time to do some city living. I would spend anywhere from one to three nights in Dublin. I would personally spend the least amount of time in Dublin if you only have a short amount of time. It is a very nice city, but there is so much more to see and do in Ireland than Dublin city.
THINGS TO DO IN DUBLIN:
I have never actually toured this myself, but I have only ever heard great things about it and besides you get a free pint of Guinness at the end of your tour if you are 18+! Probably the most authentic pint you will ever have!
Well I think if you are in Dublin you should go and see the Book of Kells. If you don't it is kind of like going to Paris and not going to see the Mona - Lisa. Who does that? What is the Book of Kells?
Directly from their website:
"The Book of Kells is Ireland's greatest cultural treasure and the world's most famous medieval manuscript. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ."
My Husband thinks that the Kilmainham Gaol museum is not to be missed. I have never been there and when I asked my husband why you should go he said cause it is cool and rich with Irish history....Hence the reason I am the one writing all the blog posts. lol. Click the link in the title and you can read more about it.
This is a total tourist spot! But I still think that it is totally worth going to. It has cool pubs, and is a great photography spot.
CHEESY FRIES AT MIDNIGHT!
Yes, Dublin does have a great nightlife and they have great food for when you get out of the clubs or pubs. I put at midnight cause it had a good ring to it! But really it is more like Cheesy Fries at two or four in the morning. Or whatever else your heart desires.
GALWAY CITY
Awwww Galway! So I actually have a love/hate relationship with Galway. On the one hand it is a great little city with a college vibe and great shopping and on the other I hate it because I actually do not know why. I just do! You are probably thinking then wtf would should be putting this on her itinerary of places to go? Well on of the reasons is shop street and if you like to party there are plenty of clubs, "Carbon" being my husbands favorite from his college days and some great ole pubs as well. My husband lived there three years and could not give me advice on anything to do there, so I put my only suggestion below.
SHOP STREET
This is what it sounds like, a shopping street! It is a quaint cobblestone street without cars. Where you can often find some great street performers or pop into the local pub fora pint! It has great shops to get gifts or souvenirs at as well as normal shopping shops! There are a few pubs scattered around as well with some good food and great people!
ACHILL ISLAND
i have only been here once, but my husband spent a lot of his summers as a kid surfing and atving here. Unlike the Aran Islands you do not need to take boat to get here. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge. The pictures that I have seen of it look amazing!
KEEL BEACH
A picturesque little surfing beach. You can take a stroll down it, but I have heard that this is the place to go and the best place to stay near on Achill. Check out Achill Surf and Kayak if you want to rent some kayaks or surf boards. They also give surf lessons!
CROAGH PATRICK - MAYO - 58 MINUTES FROM ACHILL AND KIND OF ON THE WAY TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION
Well you are in Mayo (The County Achill Island is in) you might as well head over to the famous Croagh Patrick. On a nice day I hear that the views from the top are amazing. It is a holy mountain and many people used to pilgrimage up it barefoot...sounds cold to me, and I cannot believe that some people still do!
ON THE WAY BACK:
CONNEMARA
I love Connemara! There is something so beautiful about its rolling hills, numerous lakes and the sheep lining the road.
KYLEMORE ABBEY
This is a beautiful place, located on a lake and surrounded by those rolling hills that I previously mentioned. You can walk around the park, or hike up the hill/mountain and touring the Abbey itself is worth it as well. The abbey is quite beautiful with a very rich history.
BACK TO SHANNON WITH AN OPTIONAL STOP AT THE CLIFFS OF MOHER
This concludes my inside guide to Ireland and if you haven't already or you started with this part of the guide head over to part one!